How to Two-Hand Weapons in Elden Ring: A Comprehensive Guide
Elden Ring, with its challenging combat and diverse weapon selection, rewards players who master its mechanics. One crucial skill is effectively two-handing weapons for increased damage and power. This guide will walk you through the process, offering tips and tricks to maximize your two-handed combat potential.
Understanding the Benefits of Two-Handing
Two-handing a weapon in Elden Ring significantly boosts its attack power. This is particularly beneficial when facing tough bosses or challenging enemies. The increase in damage is substantial, making it a worthwhile tactic for many builds. However, there's a trade-off: you lose the use of your off-hand weapon or shield. This means you'll be more vulnerable to attacks, so strategic planning is key.
How to Equip a Weapon Two-Handed
The process is surprisingly simple. Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Equip your desired weapon: Select the weapon you want to two-hand from your inventory.
- Unequip your off-hand: Go to your equipment screen and unequip whatever is in your left hand (your shield or secondary weapon). You can do this quickly during combat as well, though it's generally better to plan this out strategically beforehand.
- Observe the difference: Once your off-hand is empty, you'll automatically be two-handing your weapon. Notice the increased damage stat in your character's information.
Strategies for Two-Handed Combat
While the raw power increase is a significant advantage, effective two-handed combat requires strategy:
Weapon Choice:
- Greatswords and Ultra Greatswords: These weapons excel in two-handed combat, offering devastating damage but slower attack speeds.
- Axes and Hammers: Similar to greatswords, these deal high damage but lack speed.
- Katanas: While viable two-handed, katanas generally shine with their unique moveset and fast attacks when wielded in one hand.
Combat Tactics:
- Learn enemy attack patterns: Since you'll be without a shield, learning enemy attacks is crucial for survival.
- Use spacing and dodging effectively: Mastering the art of dodging is vital to avoid damage while you're vulnerable.
- Consider your build: Strength-based builds will gain the most from two-handed combat, while dexterity builds may still find success, particularly with faster weapons.
Timing is Everything:
- Don't just swing wildly: Learn the timing of your attacks to maximize damage and create openings.
- Use your stamina wisely: Two-handed attacks tend to consume more stamina, making stamina management critical.
When NOT to Two-Hand
Two-handing isn't always the optimal strategy. Consider these scenarios:
- Facing multiple enemies: A shield can be invaluable for blocking multiple attacks.
- Against fast enemies: You may find it more effective to parry or block attacks with a shield.
- When managing stamina is crucial: You may find your attacks interrupted if you don't manage your stamina properly.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of two-handed combat in Elden Ring can drastically improve your combat effectiveness. By understanding the benefits, mastering the techniques, and strategically choosing when to utilize this powerful ability, you'll be well on your way to conquering the Lands Between. Remember to experiment and adapt your strategy based on the enemy and your own playstyle!
